Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year

Another year has come to an end. They just seem to keep flying by so quickly! Here is a year in review for the Cullen Family.

Chris is still working hard for Whirlpool and enjoying his job and the new endeavors it brings him. He has also been hard at work earning his MBA from Indiana University. This has required him to wake early in the morning and work some weekends to complete course work on top of his regular job and family life. Sometimes I don't know how he does it, but he does and manages his time amazingly. I'm so proud of his efforts to support our family. Chris also spent time coaching Tommy's soccer league this past fall. Tommy and Chris both enjoyed this, it was a great bonding time for them.

Tommy still attends preschool 3 times a week. He has become so interested in learning how to read and solve math problems. I know this kid is ready for kindergarten next year. As for me, I'm not sure, but I have to accept that my job is to also let him grow and learn on his own. I know he will do great. He has enjoyed playing soccer this year too and is something he will keep doing along with adding baseball this spring. His love for sports grows everyday!

AJ turned two this year! He is talking more and more everyday too. We have noticed him talking in complete sentences lately. He is an active little guy and loves to play with brother Tommy. They have become such good friends, which warms my heart.

I continue to stay at home with the boys and feel blessed that I am able to do so. We have so much fun on a daily basis. Now, don't get me wrong, we have our moments too. But it is so neat to watch them grow into the little gentlemen they are becoming.

As a family we again took a vacation to Disney World this past spring. We had a wonderful time and created memories I will forever cherish.

All and all 2011 was a great year for us and I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store. Here is our year in review:



January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. And it appears that both boys made the nice list this year!

On Christmas Eve morning, our elf, Malcolm, had to head back to the North Pole to help Santa fill the sleigh. But before he left, he wrote a note to each boy and filled everyone's stocking, including the dogs' stockings too. Then we headed to Mo and Papa's for the day. There we had a special visit from Santa! The kids were so excited. He gave each grandkid a reindeer to thank them for feeding his reindeer throughout the year.

Christmas morning we opened gifts. It was surprising this year because Tommy rushed through his presents. AJ, however, took his time. He would carefully take off the bow first, then rip the paper little by little. Then AJ would want to play with the new toy for a bit before he moved onto the next present. We had to stall Tommy for awhile so AJ could catch up! Tommy received an VTech Innotab from Santa this year. What a neat toy! Santa had searched and searched for the popular LeapPad, but had no luck. So we decided upon the Innotab which was a great investment for us. Tommy loves playing it. AJ received many Disney guys which he completely loves. He also received a Handy Manny work bench. AJ loves to "fix" things...I just don't know if I would hire him out quite yet! Tommy also got his much wanted real Lightening McQueen remote control car. He LOVES it, and so does AJ. AJ really gets a kick out of just watching Lightening race around the room and talk. It is a pretty neat toy.

All and all a wonderful Christmas. It seemed to come and go so quickly this year, but we made such wonderful memories with the boys. These memories I will cherish always.





The stockings filled and notes left by Malcolm

AJ waking Tommy up Christmas Eve

The dogs checking out the goods

Santa! AJ waited so patiently for his gift!


All the grandkids

Decorating cookies for Santa

Tessa's creations...too bad you can't see all the sugar she put on!

After Christmas Eve mass, they all behaved wonderfully!

My attempt at being a photographer. Yes, it's supposed to be
fuzzy! I read all about how to take these pictures and how
artistic they are. Chris thought I made a mistake posting this photo...

Santa came!

Santa left a few things behind while eating cookies!






Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours, we wish you all a very merry Christmas
and a wonderful New Year!
Love,
The Cullens


Friday, December 23, 2011

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas Cookies

Last weekend we made Christmas cookies! We ventured out of the norm and made cookies we had never made before. Chris decided to make chocolate chip cookies with candied bacon. I made sea salted caramel chocolate cookies. I must say they both turned out delicious! We tried to get the whole family to help, but AJ had other plans...maybe next year! Tommy of course loved helping and sampling the cookies too. Both cookies were sweet and salty so if you like that combination I highly recommend these cookies. You can find the recipes at www.twopeasandtheirpod.com, (the salted caramel cookies) and www.peterandrewryan.com (chocolate chip bacon cookies).

Sampling the chocolate chips

Adding the butter

Helping Daddy add more ingredients

Sampling the chocolate chips...again

AJ joined us with a fake cookie he
found downstairs.


Chocolate chip bacon cookies

Sea salt chocolate caramel cookies

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Concert

Today Tommy begins Christmas break! That was always a great feeling as a kid! The preschoolers celebrated with a party and then invited parents at the end of school to hear them sing a few Christmas songs. They did great! We then treated Tommy is his favorite restaurant, can you guess? Jimmy Johns of course!





Monday, December 19, 2011

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Snuggle Buddies

One early morning we caught the boys cuddling in their Christmas jammies while watching a Christmas show...nothing could be cuter.

Friday, December 16, 2011

On Dasher, On Dancer!

The other night we took advantage of family fun night at the carousel again. This time they had two reindeer! Dasher and Dancer made an appearance before their big trip next week. We were even able to pet one of them! They were really neat to see. Of course Santa was also at the carousel, but this time Mrs. Clause joined him too! We had another wonderful family night!